Longines, where to buy?

autotrader

not sure what I'm after, like some of the new stuff and like some of the really old stuff too.

any suggestions on where and what to buy? I'm a bit of a watch newb:rolleyes:

Mitch Buchannon

autotrader wrote: »

not sure what I'm after, like some of the new stuff and like some of the really old stuff too.

any suggestions on where and what to buy? I'm a bit of a watch newb:rolleyes:

I dont know where you are located but here is a list of of dealers in Ireland.

http://www.longines.com/retailers/europe/ie

Now as for what to buy... :D

I personally like the HydroConquest. Its comes in a range of colours. And it looks savage on a toshi strap too.

Wibbs

Really old eh? Me as a vintage type with 4 Longines in my madness collection I hear that. A name very undervalued at the moment IMHO. Here's a link to peruse the vintage ones. http://finertimes.com/asp/watches/query.asp?Title=New+Today&SubTitle=+-+Longines&Where=%28Man_Code=%2772%27%29&TypeCode=0&ManCode=72

autotrader

Mitch Buchannon wrote: »

I dont know where you are located but here is a list of of dealers in Ireland.

http://www.longines.com/retailers/europe/ie

Now as for what to buy... :D

I personally like the HydroConquest. Its comes in a range of colours. And it looks savage on a toshi strap too.

Thanks,

I wouldn't be a fan of that to be honest. it looks like a dated modern watch if that makes any sense. not my cup of tea anyway.

Wibbs wrote: »

Really old eh? Me as a vintage type with 4 Longines in my madness collection I hear that. A name very undervalued at the moment IMHO. Here's a link to peruse the vintage ones. http://finertimes.com/asp/watches/query.asp?Title=New+Today&SubTitle=+-+Longines&Where=%28Man_Code=%2772%27%29&TypeCode=0&ManCode=72

I think I saw one you posted in another thread from pre or post war? looked sweet;)

I also saw a modern one in Dundrum, brown face, brown strap. it's seriously tasty:cool:

I also saw one in the place on dawson street, it was absolutely top class. it was 1930's large face 'rail road design. only snag was the price tag, it was like 5k!

Wibbs

autotrader wrote: »

I wouldn't be a fan of that to be honest. it looks like a dated modern watch if that makes any sense.

Funny enough it makes perfect sense AT. Longines is not that well known anymore in Europe or the US. Not compared to the past when they would have occupied the mid to high end niche. Kinda the Breitling of their day. Today Longines sells well and is aimed more at the Asian market(India and China) and I think the subtly different taste of that market can come through. Also might explain the rise in their vintage prices for no real reason over the last decade as the Asian market grows. I don't think they've topped out yet either. On that link I posted, there's a chronograph in gold, their famous 30CH movement, with flyback and extra finishing for around the 4 and a bit 1000 euro. Same thing in a similar aged heuer(nowhere near the quality) would be a third dearer and to get similar in modern I'd reckon you're talking four times the price.

I think I saw one you posted in another thread from pre or post war? looked sweet;)

Probably this one;

Very chunky watch even for modern tastes. Puny wrists need not apply.:D

I also saw one in the place on dawson street, it was absolutely top class. it was 1930's large face 'rail road design. only snag was the price tag, it was like 5k!

Or more like 2K anywhere else...

For a watch newb autotrader, maybe vintage might not be the best option. They're not going to be water resistant(except in rare cases), most will be hand wound, rather than automatic(though I prefer that) and they're going to be more delicate. It's been my experience that for servicing you'll likely need to send them overseas as the locals will either throw their eyes up in horror at the thought at working on something that isn't modular and like every other ETA movement, or will charge like a wounded bull elephant to do even the most basic of things.

autotrader

thats a lovely watch! where would I get something like that? would it cost big bucks?

the one i saw in the other thread was monthy burnz a few pages back in the pilots watch thread:cool:

Wibbs

The Longines "Czech pilots watch"? Youre talking up to the 2000 mark, though bargains can be had. Gorgeous watch in the flesh and will hold and go up in value if you get a nice one. Funny the one in my linked pic is meh quality wise. Very badly painted dial. The earlier porcelain dial is the one to go for.

autotrader

wibbs i've been reading up on the Czech pilots watch and well...I want one:D where should I look for one from a reputable seller?



edit, I just saw there is one on the finertimes website. it looks like it comes without a starp though? also I assume there would be import tax on that item. price isn't too bad though although it's a less desirable model, how do i tell the porcelain dial?

Wibbs

I wouldn't worry too much about the strap, that would be easy to get and cheap enough. It's a wide bugger for straps mind. 22mm IIRC. The finertimes one is gonna get hit with VAT/Duty I would think. Though it is over 60 years old so you might be able to argue on the antique front. That said with our officialdom you'll likely get the blank stare, corner mouthed drool and the short shrift. Though I got lucky on that front many moons ago. Found a fellow watch effin looper enthusiast in the tax office that gave me the wink and the nod. I think the FT chap acts as much as an agent as a direct seller so the watch may well be in the EU. It might be worth sending an email to check? In any of the watch forums I've been on I have never heard a single bad word to say about the guy who runs the place. A real enthusiast that happens to sell the things he's enthusiastic about.

Pricewise? I'd personally not pay more than 1900 euro for one. You will get a good one at that money. The one on FT has had a bit of an amateur painting job in luminous done on the dial. Otherwise it's pretty decent. It's got the right crown which for some reason many don't. Must be a weak point? If it's close enough to home to avoid tax I'd be thinking about it.

If you're in no rush then hang on. There are few enough of them in the usual places at the moment, but that will change. The Porcelain dial is easy enough to spot most of the time. It's much "blacker" than the metal dial. The most crisp first series ones didnt have anti magnetique on the dial. The movement tells you the story. The mid and later movement have the metal dials. Thats no reason to exclude them mind, depending on price an all. I'll keep an eye in the usual places AT and if I spot one I'll let ya know. I owned one myself for many a year. Got it for 200 punts in the early 90's. Then gave it to a rellie/mate as a birthday pressie. What was I thinking!!

They are a fcuking gorgeous watch it has to be said. Great wrist presence and regardless of movement really good timekeepers if set up right.

autotrader

thanks wibbs!

let me know if you see one about, cheers!

I'm in no rush, if i'm spedning that much I want to get a good one, preferably in europe

Mitch Buchannon

Thats some great info there Wibbs. If Im in the market for something like this I'll be re-reading this thread.

Wibbs

No worries MB, Here's a thread I expanded on movements etc for that model

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056124508